• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 1999

This study was conducted to determine the optimal collecting time and methods of utilization of forest topsoil as a seed-bank source for revegetation materials of slopes. From April to November of 1998, nursery seedbeds in the greenhouse of Seoul National University were seeded with mixtures of forest topsoil and seeds. The nursery seedbeds were treated to evaluate the effect of depths of forest topsoil and seeding amounts. Seasonal experiments with $3{\times}3$ factorial design were conducted in April, June and August. More than 40 seedlings/$m^2$ were observed as the naturally-emerged species in the plot, treated with the top-layer forest soil within the depth of 10cm. However, it was found, as seeding more seeds, the number of appearance of the naturally-emerged species reduced because of the heavy competition between the seeded and the naturally-emerged. According to the results of this research, it is recommended that seeding amount should be no more than 1,000 seeds/$m^2$ to avoid the severe competition. Also it was observed that the forest topsoil collected in spring(April) is better than that collected in summer. The more species of the naturally-emerged were found in the forest topsoil collected in spring. Forest-topsoil-mixed-materials as a seed-bank source could significantly increase the plant diversity and productivity. Effective use of forest topsoil as a seed-bank source may become a valuable tool in future restoration of disturbed slopes for promoting plant community diversity and recycling of spoiled-soils from the slopes.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2016

In this study, vegetation succession and the rate of consequent topsoil development were investigated in shallow landslide scars of sedimentary rock slopes covered by volcanic ashes and pumice in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. Seven shallow landslide scars of different ages were selected as study areas. In the initial period after the occurrence of a shallow landslide, deciduous broad-leaved trees such as Mallotus japonicus or Callicarpa mollis were occupied in the areas. Approximately 30 years after the landslide, evergreen broad-leaved trees such as Cinnamomum japonicum invaded in the areas, already existed present deciduous broad-leaved trees. After 50 years, the summit of the canopy comprised evergreen broad-leaved trees such as Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii and Machilus thunbergii. Moreover, the diversity of vegetation invading the site reached the maximum after 15 years, followed by a decrease and stability in the number of trees. The total basal areas under vegetation increased with time. It was concluded that the vegetation community reaches the climax stage approximately 50 years after the occurrence of a shallow landslide in the study areas, in terms of the Fisher-Williams index of diversity (${\alpha}$) and the prevalence of evergreen broad-leaved trees. Moreover, according to the results of topsoil measurement in the study areas, the topsoil was formed at the rate of 0.31 cm/year. The development of topsoil usually functions to improve the multi-faceted functions of a forest. However, when the increased depth of topsoil exceeds the stability threshold, the conditions for a shallow landslide occurrence are satisfied. Therefore, we indicated to control the depth of topsoil and strengthen its resistance by forest management in order to restrain the occurrence of shallow landslides.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1389-1394
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• 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties of topsoil from forest development area. The results of physicochemical properties of topsoil from forest development area shown on the average loamy sand~sandy clay loam in soil texture, 5.3~7.1 in pH, 0.02~0.18 dS/m in EC, 0.7~1.8% in OM, 0.03~0.11% in T-N, 11~15 $cmol^+/kg$ in CEC, 0.02~0.04 $cmol^+/kg$ in $K^+$, 4.51~8.18 $cmol^+/kg$ in $Ca^{2+}$, 0.93~2.77 $cmol^+/kg$ in $Mg^{2+}$, 6~49 mg/kg in available phosphate. And the results of physicochemical properties of topsoil from forest non-development area shown on the average sandy loam~sandy clay loam in soil texture, 4.4~5.3 in pH, 0.03~0.05 dS/m in EC, 3.1~4.6% in OM, 0.13~0.23% in T-N, 14~18 $cmol^+/kg$ in CEC, 0.02~0.04 $cmol^+/kg$ in $K^+$, 0.78~3.82 $cmol^+/kg$ in $Ca^{2+}$, 0.29~1.31 $cmol^+/kg$ in $Mg^{2+}$, 3~31 mg/kg in Av. $P_2O_5$. On the other hand, forest development area of topsoil sand content higher than 8~18% sand content than the forest non-development area. This trend is thought to be the absence of topsoil management development projects. Consequently, the results suggested a high potential of recycling of the topsoil from forest non-development area for planting soil. Therefore, in construction of the conservation and management of topsoil from forest non-development area is very important.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2004

This research is of the rapid industrialization taking place resulting in the destruction of forests. The method that is implemented needs the vegetation to work well with the topsoil in order to restore the environment. In November the researcher collected a depth of 5 cm of topsoil from a well developed forest, after the fallen leaves were cleared. The results of the essential research are as follows : In the case of using the forest topsoil to plant trees latency seeds, during the early stages of tree planting, time is necessary for the desired vegetation to reach a similar state to the vegetation being restored. The results conclude that the best possible affect is obtained through a method utilizing seeded species. Utilizing forest topsoil, slopes that have been too damaged for trees to be planted can be sown with seeds. In addition the rearing of naturally-emerging species had a tendency to decline. When considering rearing naturally-emerging species to flourish in the topsoil, in the early stages of tree planting, the beginning foundation of sowing seeded species has to have a standard of about 1,000parts/$m^2$ This standard has been found to the most successful.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.110-119
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• 2004

This research was conducted to develop spraying cultivation method using forest topsoils in order to restore the disturbed slopes. In November the researcher collected a depth of 5 cm of topsoils from a well developed forest, after the fallen leaves were cleared. The essential results of the research are as follows: In the case of using the forest topsoils, during the early stages of planting, time is necessary for the desired vegetation to reach a similar state to the vegetation being restored. The best possible effect is obtained through a method utilizing forest topsoil(30%)+loam silt soil(70%)+seeding with grasses and native plants including trees, shrubs, and herbs. Several plants such as Pinus densiftora, Potentilla fragarioides, Miscanthus sinensis, Erigeron canadensis seemed to be naturally emerged from the topsoils From this experiment, it was recommended that environment potential within topsoil should be comprehended. Also, topsoil deposit and gathering methods should be experimented properly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.383-390
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of new materials with forest topsoil for hydroseeding measures that is environmentally and ecologically stable revegetation measures on rock cut-slopes. Field hydroseeding experiment was used with a completely randomized design at highway rock cut-slopes in April, 1997. Results obtained in this study were summarized as follows: Particle size distribution of 3 mixed-soil materials that consisted of forest topsoil, decomposed granite soil, compost, sludge, and bottom ash did not show a significant difference. As appending the amount of forest topsoil, soil bulk density was increased. Soil hardness was slightly increased in early period, and then decreased with the flourishing of plants. The number of individuals increased, more than $3,000seedlings/m^2$, after 1 month, and it was decreased as time passes because of competition between the seeded species and the naturally emerged species. In addition to the seeded species, seeding plot has more than 6 species (Rubus crataegifolius, Eleusine indica, Erigeron canadensis, Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme, etc.) per $m^2$ were naturally appeared in the first year. From the viewpoint of species diversity promotion, the capability of using forest topsoil as seed bank sources was high. In order to apply in the field, the investigation and analysis of topsoil availability (quantity and quality of seed source, soil texture and organic composition) should be carried out before-hand.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2014

The study aims to investigate and analyze actual situations of managing topsoil at forest development sites based on their types, in pursuit of conservation and effective use of national land. To do this, I selected target areas by deducting the typical types of forest development and analyzed the condition of soil at the target areas before and after development. In addition to this, I interviewed associated construction staffs to conduct study on present situations of topsoil management and find out its problems. I also surveyed of relevant experts, with the intention of seeking solutions. The results of the study have been shown that firstly, experts preferred collecting and recycling of topsoil as methods of improvement of soil conditions for plant growth. Secondly, the importance of topsoil has been well noticed and there were few construction sites using the methods. However, working and economical problems have disturbed carrying out these solutions. Thirdly, after constructions, organic matter and total-nitrogen content decreased in general which were necessary for plant growth in terms of soil conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.99-109
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• 2007

The main objectives of this comparative study were 1) to compare the floristic similarity of species composition between the extant vegetation and seedlings from soil seed bank and 2) to quantify the potential contribution of soil seed bank to revegetation of forest in a constructed area, which is called "ecological impact mitigation" in conjunction with the power plant extension. Forest topsoil of seven plots was collected from the surface soil after measurements were taken on the ground vegetation in each plot. A greenhouse experiment was conducted and monitored to analyze the germination potential of soil seed bank. The forest topsoil was spread on plastic trays ($0.7m^2{\times}7$) filled with a 5cm layer of sterilized potting mix. The results of monitoring for 2 years in a greenhouse were as follows : 1) seedlings of soil seed bank per 4.9$m^2$ were 1,269 with 36 species (1st year) and 2,615 with 25 species (2nd year). 2) 38${\pm}$8% of the flora species were germinated from soil seed bank. It can be concluded that the use of soil seed bank would be effective to promote establishment of diverse species and vegetation. However, it behooves to continue monitoring on succession of vegetation and pursue revegetation with other methods for ecological restoration. Finally, adequate topsoil deposit and gathering methods should be studied properly.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

The effects of forest fires on the activity of microbial communities in topsoil and subsoil were investigated. Samples were collected from Korean forest soils comprising mainly igneous and sedimentary rocks. Analysis of beta-glucosidase, found higher microbial activity in sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks. Enzyme activity was not observed immediately after fire, but was restored over time. The enzyme activity of subsoil was inhibited by 33~46% compared with that in the topsoil, regardless of soil damage. The effect of fire on the availability of microbial substrate was investigated using EcoPlate. The percentages of average well color development values of damaged and normal topsoil were 52.7~56.8% and 62.3~83.6%, respectively. Forest fires appear to affect the diversity and substrate availability of the subsoil microbial community by accelerating the decomposition of soil organic matter. The Shanon index, representing microbial biodiversity, was high in the topsoil of all samples; it was higher for soil microorganisms in sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks, and higher in topsoil than in subsoil.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.108.1-108
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• 2003

Soil metagenome is untapped total microbial genome including that of the majority of unculturable bacteria present in soil. We constructed soil metagenomic library in Escherichia coli using DNA directly extracted from two different soils, pine tree rhizosphere soil and forest topsoil. Metagenomic libraries constructed from pine tree rhizosphere soil and forest topsoil consisted of approximately 33,700 clones and 112,000 clones with average insert DNA size of 35-kb, respectively. Subsequently, we screened the libraries to select clones with antimicrobial activities against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Agrobacterium tumefaciens using double agar layer method. So far, we have a clone active against S. cerevisiae and a clone active against A. tumefaciens from the forest topsoil library. In vitro mutagenesis and DNA sequence analysis of the antifungal clone revealed the genes involved in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolite. Metagenomic libraries constructed in this study would be subject to search for diverse genetic resources related with useful microbial products.